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Posts Tagged ‘forgetfulness’

One day you can’t remember your age, and the next you forget your best friend’s last name. Is it the early signs of age-related dementia, or could it be a sign of an underlying disorder, such as vitamin B12 deficiency from malabsorption?

The notion that forgetfulness is a common side effect of aging is a widely assumed myth. Many elderly individuals have sharp minds into their 80s or 90s, and many middle-aged people in their 40s or 50s can begin experiencing the earliest signs of dementia.

Only a doctor can diagnose dementia. While it’s normal to forgetful from time to time, this does not mean you’re suffering the effects of Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Here are some examples to help you understand the difference:

Forgetfulness: Frequently forgetting where you left your car keys or cell phone.

Dementia: Not being able to search for your keys, or think of logical places where you may have left them.

Forgetfulness: Having a word on the tip of your tongue, but not being able to remember it quickly enough to use in conversation.

Dementia: Not being able to have a normal conversation with anybody.

Forgetfulness: Occasionally forgetting what day it is.

Dementia: Being unaware of the relative time period, such as the decade, season, or who the president is.

Forgetfulness: Missing a credit card payment occasionally.

Dementia: Experiencing a steep decline in basic math and organizational skills, to the point of not being able to manage one’s own household budget.

Forgetfulness: Walking into a room and forgetting why you entered.

Dementia: Being unable to comprehend the difference between past events and real time; finding yourself in a room and not knowing how you got there.

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Often, memory loss is a common sign of aging- but not always! Certain foods, health conditions, and routines actually worsen your ability to remember the important things in life. Listed are some healthy lifestyle changes to effectively (and naturally) improve your mental focus, reduce fatigue, and prevent symptoms of memory loss that sometimes occur in the under-65 crowd.

Memory loss is preventable, especially if you’re still in your 30s or 40s! Unless you’re over the age of 65, you can’t really attribute symptoms such as brain fog, forgetfulness, or fatigue to old age, not just yet.

Gastrointestinal disorders, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

Family history for pernicious anemia

Bariatric surgery

Vegan or vegetarian dieting

Alcoholism

Medication for diabetes

GERD, chronic heartburn medications

Old age

If you think you may have memory loss from vitamin B12 deficiency, ask your doctor for a vitamin B12 blood screening. Alternatively, you can also begin taking OTC vitamin B12 supplements on your own, as there are no health risks involved with high-dose vitamin B12 supplementation.

2- Too many carbs

Eating a high-carbohydrate diet rich in trans-fats and saturated oils is another oft-cited cause of memory loss. Many researchers believe that eating an abundance of simple carbohydrates, while also indulging in fried foods, causes arterial plaque buildup, resulting in less oxygen to the brain and impaired thinking skills.

3- Dehydration

Many of us are dehydrated without even realizing it. If you don’t drink at least 6-8 glasses of water each day, plus extra on hot days or after exercising, then you may be experiencing memory loss caused by dimple dehydration.

4- Insomnia

Do you spend hours in front of the computer at night, or lay awake thinking of things you need to do tomorrow? Then you may be causing your own memory loss simply by not getting enough restful sleep at night. It’s one thing to “wing it” every now and then after a 4-hour resting period, but to maintain healthy mental skills and stay alert, and this is a no-brainer, you need to allow yourself plenty of sleep. Sleep deprivation not only causes memory loss, but also increased stress, anxiety, and depression.

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Memory loss doesn’t always mean the D-word: dementia. Cognitive decline can also affect the young. If you’ve been suffering from frequent forgetfulness, brain fog, or disorientation, then it could signify an underlying condition that requires medical attention.

So you’ve been having a hard time remember things, like what you had for breakfast this morning, how much your monthly cable bill is, or your bank’s PIN. If you’re young or at least middle-aged, and it seems like you’ve been struggling with memory loss for several months or years, then it’s not your imagination, and you’re not alone.

Because memory loss isn’t just for the elderly; there are many causes for forgetfulness in young people under the age of 65, ranging from fatigue and medication usage to vitamin B12 deficiency and chronic illness.

Is it memory loss?

It’s one thing to forget your laundry at the dry-cleaning…but if it seems like you’re constantly losing your train of thought, forgetting people’s names, or having a hard time remembering numbers, and if these symptoms are unusual, then it’s a good idea to have it checked out, even if you think you’re too young for memory loss.

Causes of memory loss in the young

As mentioned, dementia isn’t the only cause of severe memory loss that requires treatment. You may be suffering from a vitamin deficiency, you may need to get more rest, or you may be getting too much rest…the list goes on.

This does not constitute medical advice- you should see your doctor immediately and discuss your options.

Name forgetfulness can be socially awkward, especially if that person works in your office, or goes to the same daily aerobics class as you. Here are some helpful tips for remember names and boosting your memory, even when you’re in the middle of a brain drain.

Use it or lose it

As soon as somebody introduces himself, make a concentrated effort to remember his name the first time. Turn your attention to the person, repeat his name back, and make sure that you heard correctly. Repeat the name (quietly) to yourself several times. Take every opportunity to introduce your new friend to other people, and use her name while conversing. Your earliest attempts to remember a name are always the most successful.

Play Pictionary

Look for distinguishing characteristics in every person you meet, and link them with the person’s name. It’s okay to let your imagination run wild this this one- Lenny from Human Resources need never know that you think he looks like a lion cub. Another good association is connecting names with hobbies or occupations, like Arthur the Attorney, or Daphne who likes dolphins.

Put it in the dictionary

Sometimes, it’s easier to remember somebody’s name if you associate it with a real word that’s in the dictionary. For example, Justin’s name will be easier to remember if you think of justice, or “just in time.”

Play the spelling bee

Some people are visual learners- they need to see something in their mind in order to absorb its meaning. When you are introduced to somebody new, spell her name out (to yourself). This will further establish her name in your memory.

Make it rhyme

Rhymes have been used for centuries to remember things like instructions, moral codes, and historical facts. Today, they’re effective for remembering names, which is helpful if your job requires you to meet new people every day. Some good rhymes are “Tracy shops at Macy’s,” or “Ellen eats melon.” It doesn’t have to be a perfect rhyme, just as long as it sticks in your memory.

Forget remembering

Have you ever written a “cheat sheet” before a test in high school, only to find out during class that you didn’t even need it? Writing down important details cements them in your mind. So, why not follow a scaled-down version of that practice? Keep a small notepad in your purse or messenger bag, and jot down people’s names before you can forget them. Not only will you be more likely to remember their names the next time your meet, but you’ll have a handy book of names to refer to later.

Don’t be afraid to ask

Despite your best efforts to seal somebody’s name in your memory, you will still have moments when you just can’t remember somebody’s name. Instead of calling them “Hey you” or “What’s-your-name,” just come out and ask. People would rather be asked to repeat their names- it tells them that they are important and worthy of your attention.

Think fast!

“Oh no, here she comes, and I don’t remember her name!” Don’t panic. If you’re standing next to somebody you know, casually initiate an introduction. “Hey Dan, have you two met?” More often than not, she will probably pipe up with her name in introduction, and you’re home free.

When have we met before?

This isn’t just a good pick-up line; it’s also a great way to remember somebody’s name. Sometimes, we associate names of people with places. You may not recall Shawn’s name, but you probably remember that you spent three hours with him while waiting in line at the DMV.